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Playing in their final group game, Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta took on Singapore’s Shinta Mulia Sari and Lei Yao in the final Women’s doubles match of Group B. The Singaporeans had been win-less thus far in the tournament, and India certainly had high expectations heading into this match.
First game
The Indian duo raced to an early lead, with strong overall play, to reach 6-3. They showed no signs of slowing up, upping the ante, to expand their lead to five points, at 9-4. Good, aggressive play from Ashwini at the back of the court saw India go into the break further ahead at 11-5. The Singaporeans seemed to be struggling for form, as they made an error or two, hitting the net with a smash, to let India slowly stretch the lead to 16-10. A tip off the net saw Ashwini raise her hand in apology, but the point was India’s nonetheless, and the lead then stretched to 18-10. It was then Singapore’s turn to string together a few points, coming up to 19-14. The Indian pair seemed suddenly prone to errors, letting the game go to 20-16, before securing it 21-16, five points ahead of Singapore.
Second game
The Indians picked up the pace in the second set, amid cheering and celebrations from the other courts, coming out all guns blazing, racing to a six-love lead. Further punishment lay in store for the Singaporeans, their helplessness highlighted by the scoreline at the break, 11-1. Singapore came out stronger post-break, mustering a few points, to make it 14-7. A couple of loose points saw the lead cut down to just 4 points, the score reading 15-11. Serve regularly changed hand, seeing the score to 19-15, before India were handed the match point by a Singaporean error. They took it to win the game 21-15, celebrating the win with their coach, Gopichand.
The Commonwealth Games gold-medallists were hoping to replicate their success at the grandest stage of them all, but their loss to Japan, who also had a lead in terms of difference in games won-to-games lost, saw their challenge end early.
Well tried, ladies!
Result: Ashwini Ponnappa/Jwala Gutta (IND) bt Shinta Mulia Sari/Lei Yao (SIN) 21-16 21-15
